The SEPTEMBER 2016

TransporThe journal of the RMTU – NZ'st largest Worker specialist transport union

Honouring fallen workers 2 Contents Editorial ISSUE 3 • SEPTEMBER 2016

13 KiwiRail's inconsistencies GS Wayne Butson writes an open letter to KiwiRail CEO Peter Reidy about their hypocritical position regarding electric vehicles. Wayne Butson General secretary 15 New Picton hoist RMTU Kic team welcomes advances in cooperation and the new giant hoist for Picton. Disappointing suburban rail

19 Rail welding machine changeover New facility in HERE are some things we take for granted in the RMTU and one is that we Auckland for mostly deal with employers who want to have a meaningful relationship welding rail could with the union of choice of its workers so they play the employment game be a fore by the rules and pretty fairly. That is not to say that there aren't occasions runner for similar when we have to blow the whistle and call a penalty or ask for a manager to be sent Tfrom the field of play but, by and large, things go according to plan. machines in the South Island. It has therefore been a disappointing, but not wholly unexpected, reawakening to the trickery of some employers for us since 3 July 2016. This is when Transdev Wellington and their sub contractor partner Hyundai Rotem (THR) were handed the keys to the Wellington suburban trainset. Despite working with them for more than three months in the run up to the handover and laboriously working through the mechanics of achieving the "same or more favour- COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Paying respects at able" (S or MF) terms and conditions of employment for our members, it was truly Strongman Mine Disaster Memorial are Ian amazing to behold how quickly they set about trying to change what was just agreed. Walker, Luke James and Mike Williams. See Change that is, in a wholly unlawful, unilateral manner with no consideration to page 9 for other South Island roundup the mutually agreed requirements of the MECA or the S or MF terms and conditions of photos. employment around meaningful consultation or items requiring mutual agreement. We have, of course, cried foul and the employer eventually apologised and/or withdrew their proposal, but such behaviour is disappointing nonetheless. The Transport Worker is published by the Be vigilent Rail & Maritime Transport Union, P O Box 1103, Wellington, Members have been warned that the price of maintaining terms and conditions Aotearoa-New Zealand. which they had previously fought for is vigilance and immediate enforcement and this Design and production by Mike Regan. is working but this is no way to build a meaningful and lasting relationship in my view. Printed by Thames Publications Ltd, What is equally disappointing is that the vast majority of managers, supervisors P O Box 11-025, Wellington. and team leaders were all in similar roles with KiwiRail and they KNOW that such unilateral behaviour is not on and yet went along with what the new senior manag- www rmtunion org nz ers were pushing. . . . The MECA was recently ratified by members and so we have our terms and condi- The Transport Worker September 2016 Worker The Transport ISBN 1173-6488 tions (those we fight to retain during the term of the document) locked away until LETTERs 3 expiry in July 2017 and we have time to educate, train and prepare Retirements for the next negotiations. Dear Editor, We achieved our goal of ensuring an orderly transfer with as little I wish to resign as a union member after nine years stress for members as possible but we all have to remember that this 11 months. uncertainty is what the National-led government wanted. I would like to thank the Union for their support In 2011, Cabinet approved the introduction of a new framework and help and I would also like to thank Carey for the provision of urban rail, bus and ferry services, known as the Sullivan for the support and hard work he Public Transport Operating Model. The model was implemented put in to obtain my medical retirement. through a combination of operational and legislative changes. Peter Horne. The legislative components of the model were established in the Land Transport Management Amendment Act 2013 which came into Dear Editor force on 13 June 2013. I started in the railways on 24/1/1967 as an apprentice fitter The model is supposed to achieve the government's goal for when unions were the RTA plus the NUR and was also the year public transport which is to grow patronage with less reliance on of a strike for margins of skill for the RTA. subsidies. The Government stated that the model was developed The 49 years and just over five months have passed really quickly with two overarching objectives: for me up to my retirement on Friday 1/7/2016. n to grow the commerciality of public transport services and create It has been like a great train journey that has now come to an incentives for services to become fully commercial; and end. n to grow confidence that services are priced efficiently and there My career high was a trip to Hungary for the Ganz Mavag pas- is access to public transport markets for competitors. senger trains. They say that the model is a planning, procurement and busi- The career low was a bad experience on an IEA with a happy ness development framework. A key feature of it is an emphasis on return to the CEA! regional councils and operators taking a partnering approach to the I have met and worked with a lot of great people during my planning and delivery of public transport services in regions. This career, of all races and ages, and I wish those remaining all the will be achieved through mechanisms such as collaborative business best and to keep the wheels turning. planning, joint investments, and financial incentives. This approach Finally, with my retirement I must resign from the RMTU and recognises that both parties have a stake in it and are reliant on each so to our Union leaders, present and past, and its members, in other for delivering affordable public transport services that people simple terms: Thank you all. want to use. Ray Kai Regional elections in the spotlight #65406. The Ministry of Transport led the development of the model in Dear Editor collaboration with the NZ Transport Agency, Auckland Transport, This letter is to formally let you know that after 36 years working Greater Wellington Regional Council, Environment Canterbury, the for New Zealand Railway in some form or another, I am leaving Bus and Coach Association and operator representatives. the company and the RMTU. What happens with our rail members in Wellington and Auckland Most of my time here I have been happy working alongside a will hinge upon the approach of the respective regional councils. As great team of people whom I could have a good laugh with, as this issue of the Transport Worker goes to print we are in the process well as get the job done. of local body elections and those elected will play a lead role in the This is a great industry to work in (cliché now, but true) and approach that will be taken to deliver "a fully commercial service". going forward even though Metro have a new company name, That is to say a service without subsidy and given that labour costs are it all comes down to what each individual chooses to make of a significant component of the service provision in public transport every day on the job with their fellow work mates. This will The Transport Worker September 2016 it is essential that union members are active participants in the local either make it a success story or not. body elections. I wish all the team success and happiness in the future. Find out which candidates favour public transport and are not Brent Goodman. interested in slashing wages and conditions – by-products of the lowest tender outcome of the PTOM model. Dear Editor, The price of maintaining what we have now will be not just union I have asked David Marden to tender my resignation as of today membership it will also be activism and a willingness to stand up for Monday 1 August 2016, to be final as of Friday 12 August 2016, what you are entitled to – and are worth. as per the collective agreement which asks for two weeks’ notice. The process begins with assessing the candidates, offering to help It is with respect that I thank you for the terms and conditions I those which are supportive of organised labour, voting and getting leave under, it is appreciated. It has been a 46 year career at the active within your Union! port but I have chosen today to head into retirement. We are stronger together – but we are stronger still if we are Jock McLeod all active Union members. Port of Napier Ltd. 4 OPINION Port should be publicly owned

By Gren Christie

HERE is a chance Napier Port could slip from the control and owner- ship of the Hawke's Bay people and TI firmly believe this is an issue we should care about. The port needs to be 100 per cent in public ownership for the following reasons: 1. The dividend helps keep Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC) rates low. If profits were diverted to private sharehold- ers the HBRC would need to make up the shortfall through rate increase, a reduction of services or pile more debt onto the port. 2. The port is a genuine win/win situation. It makes money on exports – and imports. When the dollar is down exports as a very juicy chunk of infrastructure for with a fixed cost contract. It is unlikely that go up and when the dollar is up imports private investors. there isn’t some wriggle room for a contrac- rise. Trade risks are spread and, either way, Within the Hawke's Bay Regional Invest- tor to cover extra costs due to unforeseen it is a very profitable enterprise to own. ment Company Ltd (HBRIC) voices have circumstances. 3. Hawke's Bay's port is a strategic asset spoken for a selldown of port shares. The 2. If the dam's predicted profitability and the farm gate for its population. It is too HBRIC is the council controlled organisa- fails to materialise that would mean ongo- important not to be in total public owner- tion which manages some of the HBRC's ing and increased debt. ship. Whoever owns it controls what goes larger infrastructure investments, including 3. If profit is based on pollution of over the wharf and at what price. the port. our water, it will only take a change in 4. Private shareholders will demand There are no doubt similar, unspoken, Parliament to have effective environmental more profit. This will be achieved by thoughts for a sell down among the ranks protections enforced nationally. This will be increasing cargo handling charges, more of the sitting – and prospective – regional driven by the ever-mounting frustration and casualisation of the workforce, more split councillors who have closely aligned them- anger at the current abuse of our waterways. shifts and reduced full-time staffing. More selves with HBRIC. The Tukituki River already has nitrates too and more workers would be living off the One way to arm twist the public is to high to prevent algae blooms which have end of their mobile phones hoping for load the port with debt and then offer up led to dog deaths. work or, worse, they would be replaced by the choice of ever-increasing rate rises or 4. Two major investors have already “suitcase stevedores”. flogging off our last piece of family silver. walked away from this project. That indi- The risk of losing control and owner- Debt is mounting. In 2007 it was cates high risk. I imagine the shark cruising ship of the port is very real as it is viewed $11.5m. In 2016, $84m. Much of that has the economic waters is only there because gone into infrastructure and some mainte- our port backs this new deal nance. A new wharf is expected to add $50m If the RWSS is to be foisted upon us, plus to that debt. $80m is enough of public money invested LetterS However, the dividend to HBRIC still and we should carry no more liabilities. Dear Editor, rolls in as an alternative to paying down We run the risk of the dam becoming It is with some sadness that I must tender this debt. an albatross around the neck of the port. my resignation from the RMTU. I am offi- This may be economically sustainable Regional Council elections are upon cially retiring from the railways on August but when HBRIC uses the port to under- us and those standing need to let us know 26, 2016 after 44 years of service. Thank write such projects the Ruataniwha Water where they stand on this issue. you and the many officials for your help in Storage Scheme (RWSS), things could go the past years especially when I was inca- sideways. - Gren Christie was a worker and pacitated for 13 months. I wish you and the 1. Most large dams have an average union rep for 20 years at the Port of Lyttelton and more recently on the Union a bright future and every success. 96 per cent cost overrun. Since the first RWSS stakeholders' group represent- GO UNION - STRENGTH AND UNITY. RWSS cost estimates the price has almost ing a non-government environmental

The Transport Worker September 2016 Worker The Transport Pat James. doubled. HBRIC says it has this covered organisation. ITF 5 Violence against women in public transport Report from Sheralee Van Beek who right to make her own decisions. attended the ITF Conference on violence Some workplace warning signs that a against women in public transport in Bali worker is distracted: in May 2016. Workers' voices n Disruptive phone calls or visits from the partner; Responses from women questioned at S I did not receive any pre-con- n Obvious injuries such as bruises, black the conference: ference papers, I went in blind as eyes, broken bones and hearing loss, a lot of the other attendees did. often attributed to falls, being clumsy IA thought we would learn skills on how ". . . confiding in co-workers or accidents; to deal with violence in public transport helped to alleviate the stress n Hiding injuries using clothing inappro- and I could bring this information back to of being attacked while going priate for the season (long sleeves and share with both men and women working turtle neck, sunglasses indoors) and to the car, unending phone at Transdev. However, the conference was changes in makeup or concealer; calls and the extreme fatigue more about strengthening union responses n Absenteeism or lateness; – both physically and to violence against women who work in n Being the victim of vandalism or threats; mentally." public transport. n Job performance problems including The women's advocate programme poor concentration, errors, slowness, goal is to: "Domestic violence caused difficulty making decisions and incon- n Assist individual women experiencing unease between me and my sistent work quality; violence and/or harassment by listening co-workers because I had n Requests for special accommodations and connecting them to resources and such as leaving work early and change to miss work or sometimes support in the community; of schedule; cried. Also, some people felt n Promote women's equality at home, in n Unusual behaviour including anxiety, helpless; they would have the community and at work; and emotional outbursts, tears, apprehen- like to intercede, but did not n Create safer workplaces and communi- sion, withdrawal or social avoidance, ties for women. dare for fear of endangering excessive tiredness or depression; and The programme also provides practical me or themselves." n Lack of access to money. assistance to individual women by: Offenders can also be found in the n An empathic and understanding re- "We bring to work everything workplace: sponse to women who experience n 80% of respondents said their job per- that happens at home. We violence; formance was negatively affected by can't compartmentalise or n Provide referrals for women who are domestic violence by not paying atten- mentally separate these dealing with issues of violence, abuse tion to what he/she was doing because or harassment at home or in the work- different aspects of our lives. of relationship issues, preoccupied by place; While it may not technically thoughts about his/her partner, such as n Support them through the process of be the responsibility of the a previous fight they had, angry or upset The Transport Worker September 2016 seeking help; employer or union to provide about his/her partner and waiting for n Intervene with management to arrange shelter or assistance for his/her partner to call; and time off or other accommodations with- n 19% of respondents said they had caused employees they could out the fear of being disciplined; and or almost caused an accident at work. provide resources for victims n Respects confidentiality and a woman's Finally, we learnt workers can benefit of violence." from workplace policies that offer support and protection. Unions can "I think creating the ability to negotiate support and protections empathise in the union and through collective bargaining and in any work environment is can lobby for legislation which pro- more important than people vides support and protection. I thank the Union for the oppor- realise." tunity to attend this conference. 6 Elections Asset sales and Christchurch mayoralty eeping Christchurch City Council the selloff in its tracks." n Free and frequent public transport ownership of the Lyttelton Port LPC is one of the plum assets the (as far out as Rangiora, Darfield and Company (LPC) is at the heart of corporate sector would love to get its hands Rolleston) to be funded from the money JohnK Minto's mayoral campaign. Minto is a on and as we've seen in Tauranga, privately saved by rescheduling the big roading candidate for KOA (Keep Our Assets Can- owned ports maximise profit for sharehold- projects; terbury) for this year's local body elections. ers at the expense of workers' safety, work- n The living wage paid as a minimum for KOA has been fighting council proposals ers' wages and conditions of employment. all council work (funded by managing to sell city assets to raise $600 million over Minto says the council's projected down the salaries of senior council three years to help pay for the earthquake budget deficit would be removed by executives); rebuild. rescheduling the building of "anchor" n Swimmable rivers across Canterbury; KOA claimed a victory in early August projects, making savings from existing n 1000 new council homes for rent and when the Council announced it would not budgets and pressuring the government to rent-to-buy over the next three years; sell its works department, City Care, after pay "whatever it takes" – to borrow John and a protracted campaign of picketing and Key's own phrase – to get Christchurch up n End the corporate stranglehold on the protests by KOA supporters which targeted and running again. rebuild with stiff rate increases on the "sellout" councillors, led by the current As the history books tell us, we don't undeveloped land in the CBD. mayor, Lianne Dalziel, who directed the have to sell off assets to pay for the rebuild. proposal to sell City Care as the first asset The 1931 Napier earthquake rebuild was NOTE: Voting papers are mailed out to go on the block. paid in full by the government which wrote from 16 September and must be returned in time to be counted for "Our worry is that we have just a 10 off the city's rebuild loans in 1938. Saturday October 8. If you are not week reprieve," says Minto. "As soon as the As well as stopping asset sales the Minto enrolled or not sure if you are then go election is over the asset sales process will for Mayor campaign is promising a shift to elections.org.nz or phone be put back on track unless Christchurch from a corporate-centred city to a people- 0800 36 76 56. Your vote counts. elects a mayor and council which will stop centred city with policies such as: Lyttelton Port

ARE YOU A MEMBER? NZ Harbours Superannuation Scheme

The NZ Harbours Superannuation Scheme is open to all port workers.

The Scheme has an external administrator and contributions are invested with five fund managers. Download a copy of an Investment Statement and Application Form at: www.harbourssuper.org.nz The Transport Worker September 2016 Worker The Transport TEchnology 7 New tech for EMUs n In-cab signalling including advanced This explanation of notice of signal aspects, line and curve how the European speed changes and the distance to run Train Control System to such events; being used in n Warns and then enforces speed reduc- Auckland's metro units works has tions when approaching signals at 'stop'; been written by LE n Applies the emergency brake after pass- Grant Dowie who is ing a signal at 'stop'; and quality training n Warns and then ensures the train speed advisor for Transdev. complies with all track, turnout and train type maximum speeds. The ETCS system requires ground-based HE European Train Control Sys- only received by the train when a balise components including fixed and controlled tem (ETCS) is an in-cab signalling, (signal) is passed, the updates of movement balises connected to the system while on- control and train protection system authority is intermittent, and accordingly train components which include: Tfitted to the Auckland metro (AM) electric there are procedures and options available n Balise reader; multiple units (EMU). They became fully to allow the trains to pass signals at 'stop'. n Speed and distance measuring systems, operational on 29 April 2014. All 'proceed' signal aspects are auto- doppler radars (speed) and tachometers The system operates at Level 1 permit- matically processed by ETCS including low (speed and distance); ting it to be superimposed on the existing speed and R-light signals however, these n Driver machine interface (DMI) in each signalling system thus leaving the current two signals require driver acknowledge- drivers cab (speedo); fixed signalling system in place for non- ment. n Computer and recording systems (EVC fitted vehicles. The actual levels of train protection and JRU); and Balise (data transponders) transmit sig- is dependent upon the system operating n Connection to the train service and nal aspect information from the central train mode however, ETCS basically provides: emergency brake control systems. control system to the ETCS equipment on the train as a movement authority together with route information (gradients, turnout, line and curve speeds) at all main line signals and when approaching platforms. Continuous monitoring The on-board system continuously monitors and calculates the train's position, maximum allowed speed and any future signal aspects and speed restrictions and displays this information to the driver, where it is overlaid onto the speedo. Because movement authority data is The Transport Worker September 2016 Another glorious day for Auckland commuters. 8 Technology

n Controlled balise data is updated automatically to reflect its associated signal aspect. This information is then transmitted ETCS operating modes to the train when it next passes over the balise associated Staff responsible: Enters this when the with the signal. ETCS has been initialised and 'Start of Fixed balise data, as its name suggests, is fixed and includes Mission' has been acknowledge. The information on track gradient which affects train braking perfor- driver is responsible for movement mance, line and curve speeds, platform side and platform length authority. data as part of the correct side door enable system which warns drivers it they attempt to release or open doors on the incorrect Full supervision: Provides full driver side or off platforms. supervision and speed monitoring and If the driver allows the train to operate outside the ETCS ap- automatically activates once the first proved speed/braking envelope, ETCS will first warn the driver by balise is passed. displaying colour and audible warnings. If the driver's response is not appropriate it applies either the train's service brake to slow it down, or the emergency brake to stop the train. Shunting: Allows for shunting operations within the depot and stabling areas but ETCS driver's cab display must be selected by the driver first. If selected on the main line ETCS will trip The driver's ETCS HMI is the central and main EMU cab the train at every main line signal. display and it provides braking and speed warnings overlaid on the speedo. On sight: Allows low speed signals In addition to the visual indications, audible warnings are and restricted departure signals to be provided when the train operates on the outer limits of the passed but must be acknowledged by ETCS-protected envelope, and if the driver's actions (eg braking driver within five seconds. efforts requested) do not follow ETCS requirements. ETCS will then initially apply full service braking to reduce the train's speed to five kph below the authorised speed, or apply the emergency Trip: When end of movement authority brake to stop the train. is passed (normally at signal 'stop'). The If ETCS applies the emergency brake it can only be released train is stopped by the automatic once the train has come to a stop and the driver has confirmed application of the emergency brake. with train control that a SPAD has not occurred. The driving of an ETCS equipped train is different, and at times it will appear that ETCS is slowing down the train unneces- Post trip: Enables the recovery of a trip sarily. However, on virtually all occasions ETCS is just ensuring event. Permission required from train that the train actually obeys the current rules exactly. For example, control to enter post trip mode. ETCS on leaving a curve drivers may inadvertently begin accelerating operates in staff responsible mode until before the trailing end of the train is actually clear of the restric- next balise is passed. tion. ETCS enforces this to the metre. Likewise, when line speed reductions occur drivers may allow the train to gradually slow down while ETCS requires that the train slow down before the Override: A procedure which allows a actual restriction to ensure that it is actually applied with. signal at 'stop' to be passed without a trip event occurring. It requires authority ETCS requires a different driving style – not better or worse, from train control first. ETCS operates in just different – however, the safety improvements ETCS provides staff responsible mode until next balise easily outweigh the minor loss of a driver's driving freedoms. is passed. The Transport Worker September 2016 Worker The Transport South Island roundup 9

Peter McCaw, Flash Gordon Holt and Mike Williams at Flash’s retirement. The RMTU’s finest, Alfie Wilson in Otira.

Peter Wallis Otira signals technician.

Christchurch servicing members. Mike Williams & Ian Walker convince the trackies to ratify the MECA. The Transport Worker September 2016

Keep Our Assets spokes- person Steve Wright KiwiRail employment relations manager, Maryan Street meets West Coast track members speaks to Christchurch during MECA ratification. rail members.

Members at branch meeting at Port Otago. 10 History Mick Connelly, Labour pioneer and rail worker HIS year the Labour Par- ty celebrates its 100th birthday. Peter Franks, Tthe co-author with Jim McAloon of the party's centennial history, writes about Mick Connelly, a railway worker and union activ- ist, who was one of the men and women who founded the New Zealand Labour Party. When the Labour Party cel- ebrated its 50th anniversary in 1966, Mick Connelly was the last living member to have been elected to national office at the party's foundation. A railway worker from 1911 to 1936, he became a Labour representative on the Legislative Council (the upper house of Parliament) and the Dunedin City Council. The New Zealand Labour Party was formed at a con- work from 44 to 48 a week and cutting the Reform government amended the ference in Wellington in July 1916. A overtime payments. The ASRS was forced Railways Act to allow for the permanent Wellington-based advisory committee was to disaffiliate from the national trade union reappointment of those who had resigned appointed to support the party's national federation and the government gave official to become candidates at the 1925 election executive. Connelly, the Thorndon branch recognition to the Railway Tradesmen's (i.e. Connelly). secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Association, a breakaway union. It took 16 months for Connelly to Railway Servants (ASRS) and the union's Connelly was the fall guy for the strike be reinstated to his former position and delegate to the Wellington Labour Repre- and was heavily defeated by a conserva- grade. There was a lengthy correspondence sentation Committee, was one of the advi- tive opponent when he stood for national between him and management. A feature sory committee's members. In 1918 he was president in 1925. Bloodied but unbowed, of this was the disparaging way in which transferred to Greymouth and was elected he stood as Labour candidate for the Otago Connelly was addressed, often in the third to the ASRS's national executive in 1921. seat of Chalmers in the general election that person, as 'Casual Connelly'. Railway's management punished him year. It was a safe Tory seat. After Labour's sweeping victory in for his activism by transferring him to the He was denied leave without pay dur- 1935, Mick Connelly was appointed to the isolated town of Omakau in Central Otago. ing the election campaign because the law Legislative Council, the upper house of In 1923 Connelly was elected national prohibited public servants from standing Parliament. Because he was still a Railways president of the ASRS. The conservative for Parliament without first resigning from employee, the law meant he couldn't take Reform government cut the wages of public their jobs. up his seat. One of Labour's first acts of servants. In 1924 a national ballot of ASRS Faced with the choice of losing his job Parliament was the Michael Connelly Ap- members voted three to one to strike. (and Railways house) or compromising pointment Validation Act 1936. "Casual The other railway unions – the Engine- his Labour principles, Connelly resigned Connelly" was now the Hon. Michael Con- Drivers, Firemen and Cleaners Association from his job. He lost the election and was nelly MLC. Labour then passed the Political and the Railway Officers Institute – op- refused reinstatement as a guard. He was Disabilities Removal Act which allowed posed the strike. The government took a given a job as a casual labourer at Dunedin public servants to stand for Parliament hard line against the ASRS and, after a week, railway station at the equivalent of $116 a without having to resign their jobs and gave the national executive called the strike off. week less on which to support his wife and trade unions the right to use their funds for The Reform government punished the four children. political purposes. ASRS for the strike by increasing hours of Under pressure from Labour MPs, The Transport Worker September 2016 Worker The Transport - Kindly contributed by Peter Franks News 11

Northern regional organiser Stu Johnstone, Paul Summerville and Ben Thompson (Hazel Armstrong Law) heading for coffee after a successful mediation with Transdev Auckland.

HE Northland region is set to lose Save Northland rail all rail services including freight trains to Auckland unless a new Tline is built to Northport at Marsden Point, says the Grow Northland Rail campaign - masterminded by RMTU member and our Northland rail branches chairman, Alby Barr. Through his vast network of contacts he has rallied pro rail citizens in Northland to champion the North's railway. As reported in the last issue more than 500 people attended a protest meeting where some solid speeches and opinions by local MPs and guests were heard, including from RMTU GS Wayne Butson. The Transport Worker September 2016 He recieved the biggest cheer of the evening when he said: "I don't know why anyone in this town votes National." Save Our Rail Northland said connect- ing the line to the forestry port would cost $250 million – a pittance compared to what the government spend on roads.

North Tugz increase to all rates and allowances for the renewal of their Collective Agreement. There has been no growth in shipping RMTU members working at North Tugz have accepted a one numbers at NorthPort which has increased pressures to control year rollover of all existing terms and conditions with a 1% and reduce costs. 12 News Teaching unionism MTU delegates and staff recently spent an afternoon with eight young commu- nity leaders from Myanmar discussing what labour rights mean and how to put them in to action. The student were here on the UnionAID-run Myanmar Young LeadersR Programme. They were keen to learn how union members in New Zealand can actively stand up for decent work and important issues like equal pay. Action for improved labour rights is sorely needed in Myanmar. Up until 2012 unions were banned by the military dictatorship and forced labour has been a major issue. With this recent history in mind, much of the discussion focussed on freedom of association as a universal human right and how this can be enforced. Many thanks to RMTU delegates Ka'isa Beech, Campbell Leggett, Mervin Johnson and staff member Julia Harrison for giving their time to join the young leaders for this important programme.

Myanmar young leader Khin Zarchi proudly wearing her RMTU cap.

Transdev eventually gets it right HIS cautionary tale was submitted for publication from CA at Caf an Auckland locomotive engineer supervisor working for MTU members working for Caf at the Wiri electric depot Transdev. His experience is a warning to anyone who in Auckland now have a collective agreement. Bargaining becomesT ill on the job. commenced with the RMTU having five members in Sept "I booked on at 4am and while bringing my train in from 2015R and at each subsequent meeting our membership steadily grew, Papakura, I began to feel unwell. I arrived in Britomart at placing the bargaining team in a much stronger position. The coverage 07.15am and went to see my team leaders telling them I clause covers maintenance technicians, facilities and stores. The term thought I should go to hospital. is for three years with a 1.9% GWI each year. The team leaders agreed I was not looking very good, and Even though one of our members on the bargaining team resigned immediately phoned for an ambulance. They suspected I may from Caf before bargaining was concluded, he remained active in sup- have been having an angina or worse, a heart attack. porting those members who were still there as he really understood The ambulance took me to Auckland Public Hospital the value and importance of workers being covered by a CA. where I was admitted for observation for 36 hours. Thank you to those first group of members who were prepared I was diagnosed with a severe angina attack and not a to join the RMTU and for your continued recruitment as there is now heart attack. over 80% density. Stu Johnstone (Northern region organiser) and I returned to work one day after I was discharged. John Kerr (South Island organiser) worked well together to achieve Some days later I received a bill from St John for $78 for this great result of the first CA with Caf. the cost of the ambulance trip to hospital. Then, when I received my next payslip, I discovered I had been docked four hours pay for the time I was off work and in hospital. The power of a PIN I asked the train control manager why I had been docked rained health and safety reps have the ability to issue a four hours pay. provisional improvement notice (PIN) if there is a breach The Company's response was: of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 or underpin- "We docked you four hours pay because you did not Tning regulations. A PIN is a powerful tool for reps to use because complete more than four hours of your shift. So we only paid it compels the PCBU (employer) to address an H&S issue which is you for the hours you were at work." otherwise not being managed. I also asked them pay the St John's Ambulance invoice but When an H&S rep issues a PIN the employer must either con- the Company refused to do so." firm the PIN (follow its recommendation) or bring in Worksafe The fact is that our brother was fully covered in the Trans- NZ to review it. dev agreement – whether he was at work or not. His pay is If the employer does nothing (neither confirms the PIN nor assured as are all expenses including the ambulance fee. brings in Worksafe NZ to review it) they are in breach of the Health We are pleased to report that Transdev have reversed their and Safety at Work Act and can be fined up to $250,000. decision and made all relevant payments. The Transport Worker September 2016 Worker The Transport Letter 13 An open letter to KiwiRail, chief executive, Peter Reidy Dear Peter, From information received by the union We also know that the proposed Class Congratulations to KiwiRail on the Deloitte through discussions with KiwiRail and oth- 30 control system upgrade dates back to energy efficiency award. It is always pleasing ers we know that upgrading 17 Class 30s 2012. KiwiRail had pricing from Brush and to see affirmative news regarding rail casting would cost around $10m while buying eight a total project duration of three years to KiwiRail as an SOE in a positive light. DLs would cost around $35m. But for that complete the 17 upgrades. Saving four million litres of fuel and $10m spent on the Class 30s you would get How come this project has taken so 10,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year three times more power. long to action? is an impressive achievement. We also know that the EFs are cheaper Based on this, the upgrade should have However, after reading KiwiRail's in- to maintain than the DLs, they use a cheaper been completed last year. house publication, The Express, the irony energy source and incur practically no Around the world governments on both of the situation vis-a-vis the Class 30s sides of the political spectrum are pouring becomes apparent. money into electrifying their rail systems to KiwiRail is celebrating winning an combat climate change and to detach their award for saving four million litres of die- economies from volatile fuel prices. sel per year while the Class 30 (EF) electric You don't need to go far to see this. locomotives have saved at least double Look out of your office window and that figure every year for the last 30 years. see the $500m dollar investment in the Do you need to substitute electric- Auckland metropolitan network made by ity for diesel? Especially considering that a National government, and the dividends electricity is largely a renewable resource? that has returned in the growth of passen- Every year KiwiRail saves close to ger rides and the reliability versus the old eight million litres of diesel by using the diesel trains. electrified section of the North Island Main Why did Auckland choose to electrify? Trunk (NIMT). How come this does this The answer is obvious to us: it is because not generate a front page article in The electric is faster, cleaner and lower cost. Express? Why would KiwiRail go against the col- Another article in The Express is lective wisdom of Auckland, Wellington and headed: Taking an electric car for a silent the rest of the world? spin. It starts by declaring KiwiRail's "com- KiwiRail's proposed shift to diesel mitment to sustainability" and how electric operation on the NIMT cannot be justified cars might help be part of that strategy. on economic, operational or technical The article identifies some of the vir- grounds. If they decide not to invest in the tues of electric cars including acceleration, Class 30 fleet and instead buy more dirty quietness and the ability to have regenera- diesels, the damage to the KiwiRail brand tive braking. time penalty compared to running straight will be enormous. These are ALL virtues of the Class 30 through with a diesel. The RMTU is committed to showing the The Transport Worker September 2016 locomotive when compared to the diesel We know that the Australian consult- value of rail. locomotive fleet. The class 30 applies these ants, Advisian, implied that the DLs were The Union has not fought for so many advantages on a much grander scale when unlikely to meet their reliability target of years to see KiwiRail created to then see compared to the BMW i3. In fact one Class 80,000 km MDBF "without substantial it do dumb things under state ownership. 30 is equal to 23 BMW i3s in power rating financial commitment". There is huge political interest in use and a fleet of 17 Class 30s would equal 400 They stated that the 50,000 km MDBF of electric locomotives on the NIMT and BMW i3s. figure of the EF is conservative and should we fear that if the DL solution is chosen, How can electric cars be considered a be easily attainable. KiwiRail will suffer catastrophic damage to "commitment to sustainability" when no If the Class 30 was to meet the target both its credibility, brand and to the wide commitment to electric locomotives has MDBF they would have a service reliability support it has from the NZ public. been made? The proposal to replace the of 99.2% – far higher than the 90% require- Kind regards Class 30s electric locomotives with diesels ment given in the statement of corporate Wayne Butson appears very hypocritical! intent. RMTU general secretary. 14 H&S New training for H&S reps ne hundred and eighty five health and safety reps at KiwiRail have completed the new CTU's Worksafe Oreps programme. They have also all completed the NZQA assessment associated with the course. Awesome work! The course has had great reviews. Delegate Luke James who attended the Christchurch course described it as: "Thorough and eye opening." He said "it was empowering to know that reps have the legal right to stop work that could cause serious harm." The new training is a must for all H&S reps because only those who have been trained under the new Health and Safety at Work Act can carry out the legal function of the H&S rep's role in- cluding issuing provisional improvement notices (PIN) and directing people to stop unsafe work. To register to go to a health and safety rep training course go to the Worksafe reps website: www.worksafereps.co.nz Are LTI figures at KiwiRail being fudged? ssues have been raised by members The RMTU wants to know whether these and injured person. at KiwiRail regarding how people are are isolated incidents or is this the tip of the This long standing agreement is based being treated following an injury, par- iceberg of poor return to work management on the concept that workers who remain ticularlyI in relation to their return to work and 'fudging' the LTI figures. connected to the workplace have far supe- rehabilitation programme. There are re- Please give your feedback by visiting the rior rehabilitation than workers who don’t. ports of injured people being brought back anonymous survey on the RMTU website. Evidence shows that the longer people are to work to "sit in the lunchroom" instead off work the less likely they are to return of doing meaningful and medically appro- Returning injured to their job. priate return to work duties. One member people to work safely The programme's objective is to help reported an injured person being brought workers return to work by having a jointly back to work on the same day as their injury The RMTU actively supports the early agreed rehabilitation plan developed and for 'a cup of tea' to avoid the lost time injury return to work for injured workers as part of agreed to with the input of the manager, (LTI) statistics from being affected. a mutually agreed workplace rehabilitation case manager, injured worker and union plan. This should include the provi- representative. Where an injured person sion of safe, meaningful and medically returns to work less than 100% fit for duty appropriate alternative duties. The it may be necessary for them to return on Union and KiwiRail have an agree- a supernumerary basis. This means that if ment known as the RMTU/KiwiRail 10 people are normally required to do the Health Injury Wellness Management task, the injured person will make up the Programme (HIWMP). 11th person. The agreement describes the reha- To find a copy of the RMTU/KiwiRail bilitation and return to work process HIWMP go to: including the roles of the managers, rmtunion.org.nz/publications

The Transport Worker September 2016 Worker The Transport union representative, case manager NEWS 15 Plenty on for Council delegates T the time of writing, the KIC team are due to meet in Palmerston North. It will be a one day meet- ingA due to a clash with the ROM Review – Fatigue Management Workshop the follow- ing day, also in Palmerston North. Minutes for the last KIC meeting in May were distributed not long after the May meeting and meeting summaries go out immediately after each KIC meeting. The KIC meeting in May was held in Picton just prior to the full road bridging operation coming into force when the Aratere went off for survey and work. It is fair to say that the current workload for the KIC RMTU reps is high with plenty on. All of the reps are involved in Zero Harm initiatives. The LE reps are involved in the ROM review project, the excessive hours (bust) review, the SPAD reduction project, tunnel focus groups and the post traumatic incident support project. The terminal reps are involved in the underfoot conditions project, the Ara- taki two introduction, Alliance couplers on shunt locomotive project and alternative One of the heavy lift new forklifts for the road bridging operation in Picton. brake test for Catron remotes project. Our national CT rep is involved in CT operators. On top of this are the normal and mechanical issues that relate to the training and medical standards for CT issues to work through within KIC includ- members covered by KIC. ing safety, network, terminal, operational No rail to airport decision from the NZTA and Auckland Transport to exclude heavy rail from the discussion on transport to Auckland airport has left many in disbelief. Councillor Mike Lee of the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) and the RMTU have both been vocal in their disapproval. Councillor Lee took out radio advertisements and the RMTU ran a quarter page advert in the New Zealand Herald. A The Transport Worker September 2016 A fast modern rail corridor linking the Airport with the rest of the city is essential for Auckland to be considered a world class city, they said. The scrapping of the heavy rail connection is a U-turn by the NZTA, which last year said it was “extremely committed to providing a rail link connecting the airport and the city”. A public meeting on Tues- day 30 August will have given many others a platform to be heard and the opportunity to join with the CBT, RMTU and Councillor Lee to send a clear message that a rail link is the only sensible option. 16

Caption - names Light fires - don't put them out Sage advice to union organisers from CTU conference (above) Comrades from the RTBU and below Shayne Kummerfeld (RTBU) and John Kerr HE Council of Trade Unions shop featured campaigns such as the Red (RMTU). held its inaugural Organising Card, and was aimed at getting officials in Conference over three days in other unions to understand how organising August bringing together over around health and safety builds members' 300 officials from New Zealand and Austral- power in the workplace as well as making T ian unions for workshops and it a safer place. keynote addresses, as well as an The participation of our Australian opportunity to build networks brothers from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and links. (RTBU) was valuable as it reinforced our The RMTU was represented message that health and safety is a great way by Lyttelton Port branch secretary of organising and one that gets public and Heiner Benecke, South Island community support. organiser John Kerr, National The session on strategy was in tune with Health and Safety organiser the theme of the conference. We used an Karen Fletcher and Northern analysis of our dispute with Lyttelton Port Regional organiser Stu in 2014-15 as the basis to apply a number Johnstone. We put on a couple of theoretical concepts that could assist of workshops, one on health and officials in their day-to-day organising. Again, safety and another on strategy. the participation of our Australian broth- The Transport Worker September 2016 Worker The Transport Our health and safety work- ers was valuable in drawing out ideas. It 17

Caption - names Light fires - don't put them out Sage advice to union organisers from CTU conference

wasn't too academic and the key quote was it’s on the basis of OUR purpose, OUR and campaigning. Our strategy isn’t 'everyone has a plan until they get punched mission – not if we get dragged into giving new members free movie tickets." in the mouth'. theirs.” - Elaine Bernard. - Danny Cain The keynote speakers were a diverse “No great movement grows by All in all a great conference and one that bunch and included a Harvard academic, a putting out fires; we grow by lighting inspired and affirmed the RMTU attendees. self-confessed British policy wonk, one of fires.” - Elaine Bernard. The Transport Worker September 2016 the Maritime Union of Australia's younger “Youth never come to meetings to activists as well as a range of local speakers read last month’s minutes. That’s boring. from both public and private sectors in New Our youth movement is based on action.” Zealand. -Danny Cain branch secretary MUA. The flavour of what was said can be Danny Cain on the need for youth gathered from the following quotations: groups to self-fund protest actions: “If “The strongest predictor of whether you are going to dress up as the Queen or not a working person sees their union you’re gonna need some pearls and shit.” as relevant is whether or not they know “Who controls the lawyers? Unions their delegate.” - David Coats, WorkMat- should. When lawyers control the unions, ters (UK). that’s bad." - Lawyer Peter Cranny. “Sometimes we organise against the “412% membership growth in ten RMTU health and safety organiser Karen employer. Sometimes we work in partner- years happened by design. We use stra- Fletcher presenting to the conference. and ship. But we only work in partnership if tegic, militant, rank and file bargaining (below) with Heiner Benecke. 18 Advertorial A hard-working health cover for hard-working people HERE are many benefits to being a member of loss of income and the family stress that could create? These the New Zealand Railways Staff Welfare Trust, but are all questions that need to be asked. one you may not be aware of is that we have our Without good quality health cover you are at the mercy of Tcomprehensive Extended Health Plan available exclusively to the public system in many cases. With the Extended Health Plan, Group A members and their immediate families. you are the one in control. Through our optional Extended Health Plan, we are Here's what our Trust members can expect: very proud to have helped many hundreds of members and n Greater choice: Choose when, where, how and who treats their families claim back millions of dollars in often unex- you, in consultation with your GP; pected, urgent, private hospitalisation and diagnostic medical n Financial support: We provide up to 100% cover for even expenses. We have pre-approved treatment in many cases, so the most serious of conditions; that they could just go ahead and get the treatment they need. n Quicker treatment: No hanging around in the public health We are very proud that our underwriting partner is nib nz system; limited, New Zealand's second largest health insurer. And with n Speedier recovery: Getting treated faster means you should claims administered by Gallagher Bassett, one of the world's be back to work sooner; largest claims administrators, our members can rest assured that n More certainty: Get cover now and you're sorted for any they are in good hands and can expect a swift and importantly, eligible health issues that might happen later; and confidential claims processing service. n Let us pay your bill: In many cases we can pay the bill direct So what is the Extended Health Plan? to your provider.

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Emergency exit chained shut N emergency exit gate at the The Transport Worker September 2016 Strand Depot, Auckland was found chained and padlocked shut.A When RMTU delegate Stuart Gratton first raised this with Transdev management he was very quickly told it was an Auckland Transport issue as they own the facility. After further enquiries from Stuart it was back to Transdev and he was soon given the assurance that the gate would be reinstated to a safe working condition, which it was. This is a good example of effective swift action from an RMTU delegate. Well done. 20 Around the branches

NELSON PORT

Two PNL cranes working the container ship ANL Elinga.

Late winter at Port Nelson elson Port Branch had their AGM on the 16th August. The three main issues or themes are labour ordering, PPE and train- The meeting was well attended, new delegates and branch ing. Following the AGM we meet with Port Nelson for the regular committee members were elected and all positions filled. consultative meeting and again tabled these issues. The regular PortN Nelson members have been focusing on recruiting RMTU consultative meetings between the RMTU and Port Nelson have members which has been very successful. Well done! been in place for over a decade, the CEO and senior management Following the AGM, it was general business time and disap- attend these consultative meetings so it is a good opportunity to pointedly many of the issues that we thought would be resolved by get one version of the truth and escalate issues that have stagnant working parties during the term of the current CA are not resolved. progress.

Long serving RMTU branch president, Peter Hoff, at the controls of the Harbourmaster vessel, Punawai while patrolling the Nelson Harbour. The Transport Worker September 2016 Worker The Transport 21

throughout the re- should be congratulated for their forward gion, that is a sig- thinking for linking the port company and NORTHLAND RAIL nificant amount of local businesses to make it happen. maintenance which We need that same approach in North- S you read this the forgotten ratepayers have to land. There certainly appears to be support world of maintenance teams on cough up and fund. from the business sector, with a rail freight the NAL are experiencing a brand As a province we should be looking mapping excise currently involving Ki- newA environment with the recent arrival at building road-rail hubs similar to what wiRail. Here is hoping we can get something of new, state-of-the-art, tunnel-ready and is happening elsewhere. Also noted is happening up in Otiria, which is ideally fire hardened HRV trucks for the track and the Northland road toll which has sadly situated for a similar road-rail hub. structures teams. New things are few and already surpassed last years total with still It is ironic that as these notes are being far between north of the Auckland Harbour four months to run. Many are truck related, written the last log train will be departing Bridge, whether it be plant, machinery, highlighting who comes off second best. Otiria soon, a bitter pill to swallow for, trucks or even materials, such as recycled Grim statistics identify that the victims are not just ourselves, but for Northlanders hand-me-downs which have been the norm frequently other road users – something in general. in the past. These welcome additions to which angers people in the region. With the local body elections looming the fleet have already proven themselves Many of those road users would be very those standing to represent us need to think to be an asset to the health and safety of envious of the newly opened Waingawa of the future. That future must include our workers by reducing noise, fumes, road-rail hub in the Wairarapa. That photo an integrated transport strategy using all overloading and extremely slow highway op of Transport Minister Simon Bridges modes. An upgrade of the NAL with a rail speeds. An immediate productivity lift has also resulted. Could this be a new trend for spending on the NAL, or merely a cynical ploy to appease those with rail careers to lose who are making plenty of noise in a defiant stand for Northland rail? Speaking of health and safety, a number of us have been attend- ing the H&S rep training courses and learning about the upgraded legislation. It's all pretty detailed with changes to wording, pro- cesses and other stuff but, in a nutshell, safety is everybody’s responsibility. It's not just one person's job to ensure the safety of our workmates we must all bearing his cheesy smile with Piper in the link to NorthPort should be foremost in any work to the rules we are given and if we feel Kiwi Rail Express got under our skin espe- thinking, rather than sticking to the same that these are insufficient or that our safety cially as we recall how he chickened out old 'roads only' ideology. is compromised then we not only have the of fronting the April rail forum we hosted. The Grow Northland Rail team will be right, but also the obligation to stop work Instead, he flicked a hospital pass to the putting the old boys network in Northland The Transport Worker September 2016 immediately and reassess the risks. hapless local MP Shane Reti. We can guaran- Council to the sword for their treasonous While the recent announcement that tee he will join the list of MPs including Key lack of vision for rail up here, having been the NZTA would now provide all funding and Joyce, to get (NOT) a warm Northland approached by a strong local ticket seeking for the operation and maintenance of SH15, reception if and when he slinks into town. a mutually agreeable campaign arrange- meaning it now manages 877km of road in The Waingawa hub outside Masterton ment. So no doubt there will be some Northland, we have encouraged residents will transfer more than 700 tonnes of logs very nervous incumbent councillors come along this route to attend upcoming NZTA a day from road to rail, instead of grinding polling day. consultation meetings, so they can have their way over the Rimutaka pass and clog- Our advice: fresh thinking is always their say on speed limits, passing lanes and ging the Hutt motorway. healthy in a democracy, especially where intersections etc. That equates to 16,000 truck and trailer rail is concerned, so vote wisely and cam- Northland councils were still responsi- trips per year with the volume set to double paign to get pro rail people into elected ble for about 5,800km of local roads, and in two years. positions. with the high volume of trucks travelling The regional councillors down there 22 Around the branches

WAIKATO RAIL safest possible used by agreement. option. We are supposed to have a vehicle Y the time you read this we The two – with MV utilisation agreement – with will have completed our AGM recent investigations for Rob Wilson and KiwiRail, however I&E management refuse and elected the team to take us Wayne Menehira are the subject of a review to negotiate for some reason. throughB the next year. We acknowledge the under the Just and Fair Culture Policy (JFC), The use of GPS has been introduced to hard work and dedication of our delegates which is to be conducted with Paul Ashton replace E Road. However, the agreement who work tirelessly to represent us. It's and the various individuals involved. All with I&E is that GPS cannot be used for largely a thankless job but very satisfying investigations are being conducted in a fair disciplinary purposes. knowing that being an active part of our and transparent manner consistent with At the reformed H&S committee, it great union makes a positive difference. So the JFC policy. is was agreed that the H&S reps are not a huge thank you to outgoing delegates and Much work is going on behind the 'actively participating in incident investi- a warm welcome to the new and re-elected. scenes with our HSAT teams over the very gations and re-enactments' as outlined in Branch officers have been dealing with poor working conditions of the 137/138 the KiwiRail/RMTU employee participation a number of issues especially the push by shunts. During the winter months, the lime agreement. The reason for this is that man- management to force LEs back to work sidings are submerged and the shunter has agement do not want to pay H&S reps to after undergoing a medical. In the past LEs had to dig through large pools of water and be involved, which makes a mockery of the were rostered off for the day. This matter mud to free up the points. The lighting in H&S reps' role. is being taken up with the Waikato Local these sidings is shocking too. However, A call out roster for the Hamilton area Industrial Council (WLIC) which has held this is one example of where our HSAT has appeared and members are discussing its first meeting. The WLIC has been set up team have jumped all over this and will this issue and getting together the hours so to work through local issues prior to them sort it out. This serves as a timely reminder that a wage claim can be lodged. being raised at the KiwiRail Industrial Coun- to everyone to fill out hazard forms and In Taumaranui, KiwiRail tried to medi- cil (KIC). Tim Kerwin has worked tirelessly notify your supervisor straight away. If they cally retire one of our members even though to set this committee up despite Te Rapa are not reported then they cannot be fixed he had a return to work clearance from his management's best efforts to stall them. and if they are not fixed then one of your doctor. The Union member is currently be- Relationships at Te Rapa freight reached workmates may be injured or worse. ing evaluated by a specialist as to his ability boiling point towards the end of August The question of late departures from to return to work. with a lack of meaningful consultation Westfield of the Tranz Scenic trains is caus- We have seen a lot of new staff join the and discussion with delegates. This nearly ing great difficulties for the Te Rapa LEs. No company on the shunt and servicing. We boiled over into roster rejections however, one at Westfield is prepared to sort it out wish them well. Two of our shunters have it pleases me to report that through our ac- and the expectation is that the Te Rapa LEs progressed to become LEs – congratula- tions and words that we have been heard. will try and sort it themselves. Someone tions. Two other positions were filled by Peter Reidy said recently "the Union has from Westfield needs to get it sorted. new staff off the street. The branch feels that been the only constant". To solve the issues The question of promotions within Te all the LE candidates could have been taken the local management team has pledged to Rapa is a hot topic with good, highly moti- from the yard and our commiserations are create a relationship charter between them vated employees missing out on promotion with the shunters who were unsuccessful. and the local branch. This will see monthly for no reason or rationale at all. There are We believe in cadetships where staff pro- meetings with the branch chair and the discussion about taking out a personal griev- gress through the company thus creating KRM to try and solve ongoing issues involv- ance on the basis of discrimination against opportunities for everyone. ing rosters and fatigue/busts etc. These the Te Rapa managers. We also farewelled two of our long serv- meetings are in addition to quarterly local At I&E, after much debate, we finally ing LEs; Ken Collins and Lance Thompson. industrial council meetings. We see this as managed to conduct an investigation un- Both were medically retired after over 80 a brilliant example of HPHE at a local level der the JFC policy, with a good outcome. years combined service. We wish them all and hope it serves as an example for all However, there are a number of issues that the best and hope they get the much needed other terminals and business groups. need to be resolved: rest after years of shift work. LEs have issues around CSP board plac- - The use of contractors in the Waikato, On a more sombre note, August 7 marks ing. On two occasions in one week, the King Country, Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay the 25th anniversary since the terrible trag- RMTU red carded the worksite and shut it has arisen again and has now been raised edy that took the life of Te Rapa LE Graeme down due to safety reasons. There is a real with I & E management. Orange at Raurimu. Graeme was traveling concern around board placements close - There has been a disagreement on the south to Raurimu when his train struck a to (sometimes 300m) controlled signals. use of labour in the Kamai Tunnel. Our view huge washout/landslide at just over 50kph. LEs feel they should be at the signal, thus of the pecking order is as follows; Tauranga It is estimated it took three seconds for the providing an extra level of protection in ac- then Putaruru then Kawerau then Hamilton train to come to a stop. The loss of Graeme The Transport Worker September 2016 Worker The Transport cordance with rule 905. They feel this is the and ONLY then could contract labour be is still felt deeply by his family and within his 23 railway family at Te Rapa where he was a while Hillman Humphries has placed six everlasting remembrance. much respected colleague and friend. Peter printed NZR badges on lengths of timber Moe mai te rangatira i nga ringa ringa Sanders shared memories of happier times by Graeme's memorial site at Raurimu in a to tatou atua.

HUTT WORKSHOP improvement December notes should contain a wrap-up by any other of this initiative. HE year is now nearly complete name) is not rocket science, it's simply a Quite by chance a review of manage- with a batch of eight apprentices more open and transparent form of consul- ment turnover has indicated that only joining us in June to bolster our tation, collaboration and communication. one member of the entire management Tnumbers and inject some new blood into It is intended to result in benefits for all team and its primary support staff are left the organisation. however, it does take time to work closely within KiwiRail and the last person should Our HPHE initiatives are in full swing alongside a greater group of people and have departed by the time you receive this now that we've teased some confirmed produce high quality outputs. By default periodical. Things continue to change for direction out of Stanley Street, and in asso- it requires a culture change which cannot the better! ciation with our new GGM, we've produced happen overnight! There was a meeting in Our AGM was scheduled for August a forward-looking 10 year work plan – an mid-August to begin firming things up with 30 complete with a small turnover of one alleged first for this site, if not the asset the RMTU in this regard and I would hope or two representatives including the hotly management body (since the good old that National Office staff have reported on contested vice-chairman's position. government department days). Additional to this within this edition of The Transport Site upgrades continue and it has been the HPHE initiative, senior KiwiRail manage- Worker. an interesting exercise controlling multiple ment have indicated their desire to roll it A four day intensive session was planned contractors – a problem area for the Com- out somewhat further afield which has been to take an holistic look at bogie over- pany given that we seem to fall short (again) an objective for some time. At this point we hauls and consider a number of improve- of reclaiming the tertiary status within the hasten to add, that HPHE (or continuous ments with the necessary investment. The ACC Accredited Employer Programme. Even

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on-site we had an instance where a contrac- factors. Again we hope there is authoritative Finally on the safety front, we have tor failed to obey the rules and was told to comment from National Office elsewhere in achieved another significant milestone close-off the job and get off the site! H&S this periodical. with the attainment of 12 months LTI (lost is something we must continue to push-on The MECA report-back meeting was time injury) free. This was celebrated with with. The full report on a serious welding well attended and hotly debated with Todd a BBQ acknowledging the efforts of all incident in Christchurch earlier this year has Valster and Strachan Crang presenting. The involved. This truly goes to show what can apparently been released and is rumoured outcome of course was another win-win be achieved when everybody pulls together to present a significant challenge to the for all parties, so well done to the Union's in the same direction. Company to overcome all the contributing negotiating team. Until next, take care and work safe.

BAY OF PLENTY RAIL to decide on say there is a difference between the two what action to parties. We have applied for mediation HIS branch is in dispute over the take. which is set down for the Friday August 26. 12 hour for Sulphur Point and the It has been agreed that the rate of pay for The Champion Flour Mill negotiations proposed 12 roster for the Mount. stropping is to be clarified as there seems to are heading for a scrap over the wage in- TDarryl Hoare the branch president, put be different rates for stropping in Kinleith, crease and moving the 53rd week back into forward to our inaugural LIC meeting, two Kawerau and Murupara. the annual leave entitlement. Members, by ways to resolve this dispute: Rule 909 is not being used by contrac- way of a secret ballot, have authorised the - That we come to a local agreement on tors when working on Port of Tauranga negotiating team to serve notice of indus- how to introduce rosters using the draft [POT] railway lines and there have been trial action to improve Champion's offer. ROM section 9 as the basis. a number of close calls. Shane McNae and Ben Thompson, from Hazel Armstrong - The roster dispute committee to meet William Lanigan are working with the POT Law, is working through our submis- to refocus on the roster. and KiwiRail freight to resolve this issue. sions for the Employment Court for the Both were rejected by management. The C3 negotiations have reached the lifejacket policy dispute with POT. We an- So a meeting of shunters will be called point where both parties are presenting ticipate being in court on November 22, 23 final packages for settlement. Needless to and 24. WHERE ARE YOU?

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The Transport Worker September 2016 Worker The Transport http://bit.ly/exmEyL or 04-499-2066 25

taining), but my personal whole team believes in and the results speak NAPIER PORT favourite is the discussions for themselves. No one is above the team. on fishing. For the first 25 years of my working life HERE are many simple pleasures The banter as to who I never joined a union and I never really in life. For many of us it is fishing. caught what and when is priceless, but worked closely in a union-orientated work According to Sparc, fishing is the most importantly for me, is the where! environment. I never really understood Tsecond most popular sport and recreational This information is gold to the left handed what it was all about. For me work was all activity for adult men and, amazingly, the fishermen amongst us. about the individual and individual employ- ninth most popular sport and activity for The Golden State Warriors are the NBA ment contracts. adult women with an amazing 646,000 champions of 2015 and lost in an epic final It wasn't until a few years into working participants. series in 2016. The Warriors have a true MVP in the port industry that I, and a few of my One of the few enjoyable things about in Stephen Curry. This guy's immense talent peers, joined the RMTU. This was after a doing a graveyard shift is listening to the is seen by some as the sole reason for the dispute over our employment conditions, occasional banter during ship side opera- team's success, yet their motto is 'Strength where we felt we were hard done by and tions. Club rugby has a strong following in in numbers'. In this case you would think had nowhere to turn. the Hawke's Bay and 'discussions' on this this is just a slogan to sell more NBA mer- We joined after a stressful period for all subject are often, never ending (and enter- chandise. Not so. It is a philosophy the and a settlement was subsequently negoti- The Transport Worker September 2016 26 Around the branches

ated. A few years down the track we joined the collective. It was only then did I start to understand what unionism is all about. I have heard the phrase 'Strength in numbers' many times within the port. It embodies what being a member of a union is all about. Like the Golden State Warriors, no one is above the team. Every one of us is capable of being relied upon for support or aid. We are all aware of the new health and safety legislation and with it has come a new health and safety system. 'Strength in numbers' now has an even greater meaning. The lesson we all learnt from this, is Earlier this month news came through The new legislation has meant new that at all times, your immediate safety and from management, that despite immense compliance and reporting regimes are be- the safety of your work colleagues, always competition from other ports we retained ing introduced. With these new systems, takes priority over any reporting regime a large account. The feedback from this new attitudes have been born and new that maybe in place. This event highlights process was that a key feature in Napier lessons have been learnt. that it is even more important that every Port's success was the ongoing hard work In Napier a really cool tool, recently member looks out for themselves and their of the teams involved in the processing of implemented, is the ability for anyone to re- fellow work mates. this product, from the night crew unload- port an incident on a dedicated RT channel, I believe the simple lesson is that if at ing the rail to the truck drivers and fork lift which immediately triggers the investigative all times we keep ourselves and our work drivers. In fact a port wide effort and the and reporting processes. mates safe, then the work site reporting attention to detail. However, an important lesson has process will be for an incident and not an This success would never have been quickly been learnt in Napier, when a haz- accident. achieved by one person alone. The team's ardous situation occurred. An incident was With combined vigilance, we ensure attitude and ongoing hard work was reported ahead of any warning that a work that through 'Strength in numbers' we all achieved by 'Strength in numbers'. mate was in imminent danger. get home safely and in one piece.

$1,500 AD&D All members of RMTU are now covered by a $1,500 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefit, including $500 spouse coverage and a further $500 coverage on dependent children. This is an automatic membership benefit of belonging to the RMTU.

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forums and better Over in civil maintenance our advocacy communication. We has not gone unheeded and the depart- LYTTELTON PORT know there is room ment is being expanded with the company for improvement and proposing to recruit three more skilled gen- so does management, eral hands. The sinking lid policy of recent Y the time you read this our but at least we're talking to one another. The years appears to be a thing of the past. On members covered by the major waterfront agreement with LPC RMTU is a 21st century union and we know the whole, LPC's change proposal for this that big changes are coming in the years department is largely viewed positively by –B Cargo Handlers, Marine, Plant and Civil ahead, not least those driven by technology, our members. Maintenance, Port Services, Security – will and we're up for the challenge. The only point of disagreement at the be enjoying the fruits of our successful And all this good work is getting results time of writing is around exact number of bargaining with a 2.5% pay increase – the for our members. The Trades Rates Review FTE roles to be included. third in two years – and more than six times may be stuttering along but it is happening. We are also in the process of negotiating the current rate of inflation. Let's remind There is a new and much improved recruit- two variations to the Lyttelton Port CEA: ourselves this did not happen by accident ment and selection process being used in 1. In port services we have successfully – it was because we stood together and the cargo terminal and our members who negotiated to include the role of general backed ourselves. are in the part-time relieving pool (PRP) hand in the CEA with all the benefits that And let's also not forget the immense cargo handlers successfully organised and brings. This brings to an end the unsatisfac- progress we've made in rebuilding the agreed to staffing that gives them a better tory practice of employees on fixed-term relationship with management since then. shake of the stick. IEAs and working for employment agencies. Yes, we still have our differences – and we'll Instead of LPC simply employing eight 2. In the workshop the lengthy review continue to do so – but we've also made additional PRPs, as they were initially pro- process of the trades assistant (TA) role has big strides in improving health and safety posing, the company is now also offering resulted in a proposed new service person with an employee participation agreement, eight full time cargo handler positions to role with expanded duties and an increased working H&S committees, area operational current employees. rate of pay. Although the rate of pay is not Sickness, accident & death The New Zealand Locomotive Engineers’ Sickness, Accident and Death Benefit Fund In the last 10 years 230 locomotive engineers had to retire due to medical reasons. They received a total payout of $4,737,097 from the above Fund. LEs who didn’t belong to the Fund and who were forced to retire did not receive anything. The Transport Worker September 2016 You could be next to miss out! For as little as $219 a year your future – or those of your next of kin – could be better assured. Contact: Attention LEs Julia Harrison, PO Box 813, Wellington Join this Fund now for Telephone: (04) 499-2066 Fax: (04) 471-0896 your own peace of mind Email: [email protected] 28 Around the branches

quite what we had hoped for, we think it is important to have this new role included in the CEA. It is a significant improvement for the TAs and when we are in bargaining again next year we will be going in to bat for them once again. Over at City Depot our indefatigable del- egates and members continue to do good work and grow the RMTU, again a result of hard bargaining last year. The opening of Midland Port at Rolleston demonstrates how important it is for us to organise across the whole supply chain. Looking beyond the port gate, the Christchurch City Council and mayoral elections are underway, and in John Minto we have a candidate who has come out RMTU members John Smith (left) and Diccon Hughes with Polly Bysterveld presenting a unequivocally against the sale of assets Certificate of Appreciation to John. Thank you John for your tireless efforts to fellow which, as readers will know, includes LPC. members and the Union. The Keep Our Assets organisation has suc- as well as undertaking training alongside Looking even further afield our branch cessfully made privatisation and the sell-off Otago port and rail delegates. It was a great president has the honour and privilege of council owned businesses a local election opportunity to build solidarity across the of representing the RMTU at an Interna- issue. Let's hope the people get the mes- branches. The Port Otago branch has taken tional Transport Federation gathering sage. It's our job to ensure it's transmitted loud and clear. up a couple of the Lyttelton Port branch's in Montreal, focusing on new ways of Back in June our branch secretary had initiatives with enthusiasm and we under- organising in the industry. Great stuff, and the privilege of visiting Dunedin and attend- stand the membership there is reading texts we're sure he'll come back enthused and ing a meeting of the Port Chalmers branch and Facebook avidly. re-invigorated.

which have been finalist in the National Health and Safety scheduled for Awards. Thanks Ian, the branch appreciates CANTERBURY RAIL mediation since your efforts and is proud of you. reetings from Christchurch. the policy was As readers of The Activist will know No longer a demolition zone, rolled out – which is a big departure from we've been having what is euphemistically our city is now unequivocally a past practice. Something isn't working as known as a ''restructure'' at the Christch- Gconstruction site. It's progress – rumour intended. urch Service Centre where our stow plan- has it that the Lyttelton Railway Station, the GPS units in trucks is causing some con- ners and customer service representatives yet-to-be demolished home of the RMTU's troversy. When this was introduced it was have been thrown into turmoil because South Island office, is being rebuilt in the sold to us on the very sound grounds that somebody had the not-so-bright idea to re- form of a portacabin. it was a health and safety initiative. It now shuffle the pack in order to give the illusion The big news is that our KiwiRail MECA appears that that undertaking only lasts as of progress. After a full branch meeting and long as the manager who gave it. It seems a first class counter-proposal we managed and Toll collective agreement have both management can now use it as they please to save one of the eight jobs under threat. been ratified. to try and discipline workers for doing what The anger and loss of good will the amateur- We should not lose sight of the signifi- they may or may not have been doing for ish proposal from management created will cance of this as all those terms and condi- years – with management's full knowledge not disappear for some time, if ever. tions did not fall out of the sky, we have or tacit understanding. There's brighter news over in Scenic them because we're part of a Union that The Otira Tunnel continues to be top Journeys where, from being the problem fights for them. of the agenda when it comes to health and child of the business a few years ago in the The Just and Fair Culture initiative (TTW safety and some sterling work is being done wake of the post earthquake downturn in 2/2016) has run into a few difficulties and by delegates and H&S representatives. A big East Coast tourism, the TranzAlpine and not just in the form of unintelligible pieces thank you to Ian Dixon for his determined Coastal Pacific services are now the jewel in KiwiRail's 'Southern Express' by one of advocacy on the Oxybox and CABER issue. in KiwiRail's crown. One practical and wel- our regional managers. We have two per- Ian really is untiring in his efforts on mem- come result has been the in-sourcing (yes, The Transport Worker September 2016 Worker The Transport sonal grievances lodged from our branch bers' behalf and was justly recognised as a you read that correctly) of work into the 29 contact centre so passengers can book with on the gas and employing much needed Meredith from Scenic Journeys bids us fare- a KiwiRail member of staff and not some- skilled staff. well and over in operations Gordon 'Flash' one working for a contractor who clips the To continue on a positive note, LPC's Holt said goodbye in his own inimitable ticket. Well done KiwiRail bosses! new inland port is now up and running and way. One of this writer's favourite memories Another piece of good news is the speed so are the trains taking containers in and of Flash is the story about the boss who said with which the management got moving out. We're looking forward to welcoming ''I'm being serious'' to which the reply was in mechanical services when we made our the staff who work there for LPC into the ''so am I, make me a cup of tea". He wasn't discontent heard about the shortage of staff. RMTU family and our rail members will be just called Flash because he was Gordon. So, big thanks to the regional and local spreading the good word. We hope to see you both around. You can mechanical bosses and the South Island Finally, we've had a couple of leave the job but you'll never leave the HR advisor for putting their collective foot retirements of long serving members. Dave family.

itably if one ignores involved in that. WEST COAST RAIL the small matter of More good news was that our local the debt racked up manager and Greymouth depot supervi- E feel somewhat like our broth- by the previous CEO sor escaped the axe in a restructure. The ers and sisters in the Timaru and Board. We also hear that KiwiRail is run- proposal to manage the West Coast from Port branch these days – the ning coal trains at a profit if one ignores the Christchurch was barmy and regardless of Wmost newsworthy item about the Buller capital cost of keeping the coal route main- your view of management in general it's and Greymouth branches are that we're still tained and safe. You couldn't have a better much better we have a local boss on hand here, given the battering our region has had argument for rejigging the accounting that than one over the hill in Christchurch. from the winds of neo-liberal economics in loads cost onto KiwiRail while the trucking Another re-structure is on the cards recent years. It's evident that the current companies are effectively subsidised. as this is written and our rail operator in government has no plan to preserve or KiwiRail are investing in rolling stock Reefton is in the cross hairs. The issue of develop a high wage economy over here, or and undertaking a project to upgrade the emergency cover in the Buller Gorge is anywhere in New Zealand for that matter. coal wagons, always a good sign. going to be the tricky part of this particular At least our houses are affordable, although And thanks to the RMTU's deter- exercise. even that is a sick joke if you need to sell one mined advocacy it looks like our members And finally, both the KiwiRail MECA and and buy elsewhere in the country. who work in the Otira Tunnel will get Toll collective agreement were ratified. So Things are not entirely bleak however. better breathing and self-rescue equip- that means another two years with all our The much heralded imminent demise of ment shortly. There is also a project to terms and conditions locked in – a good Solid Energy has not happened and from look at running the TranzAlpine with a thing if there ever was one. Stay safe and what we hear the company is trading prof- different train configuration and we're heavily roll on spring!

So we now have seen volumes increase in the last couple of TIMARU RAIL a situation where our years so why wield the axe now? health and safety rep- On a more positive note we did send a HE big issue down here in Timaru The Transport Worker September 2016 resentatives, with the exception of the has been a so-called restructure that very senior delegate to participate in some branch president, have all resigned as got rid of our local KiwiRail man- delegate training in Dunedin along with our they've had a guts full and we have no Tager and two out of our three office staff, local port representatives. This was both a functioning HSAT team. That can't be good the latter being some of our few women refresher and an opportunity to pass on for business. We have a container operation members. It appears that word came down experience to our brothers and sisters in and terminal that whilst it is not leaderless, the Otago port and rail branches and was from on high to regional managers to be has to look for that leadership 160 km up both useful and enjoyable. seen to be doing something to strip cost the road. To say we're not happy is an out of the business and some accepted the understatement. What was humbling was And finally, let's not forget that both challenge with more enthusiasm than oth- the amount of support and good wishes the KiwiRail MECA and the Toll deals were ers. The reality of this sort of thing is that expressed by the RMTU women's network ratified and both those agreements secured the real cost is hardly ever considered – and and the wider membership in the branch. above inflation wage increases with no that's the loss of goodwill and productivity What makes this sort of change harder loss of terms and conditions. So it's not all contingent on that goodwill. to stomach is that the work is there – we've bad. 30 Around the branches

we've done it safely. Rail branch and the Otago port and rail PORT TIMARU Prime Port is employ- branches. This was excellent as it built ing more regular staff solidarity as well as giving us the chance to NCE again our proudest achieve- ment is our little branch is not to do lines and so forth, another sign that learn new skills and knowledge. only still here but we're growing our port is in good shape. On a sadder note our branch president Oin strength and expertise. Back in June we sent four of our of- suffered a family bereavement a few weeks Since the Quality Marshalling and Prime ficials on a very successful day's training in ago that was a great shock. Our thoughts Port agreements were settled last year we've Dunedin where there was the opportunity are with you and your family Naylor. had a productive time of it working away to meet and work alongside delegates and To all our brothers and sisters, work getting the cargo across the wharf, and active members from our local Timaru safely and stand tall.

The Lyttelton Port to be part of a national union that puts our PORT CHALMERS branch secretary vis- safety at the top of its priorities and to have ited and attended our the expertise of professionals like Karen to e've had a busy three months at branch meeting the following day and draw upon. Port Otago and much of it has explained how his branch have established We are also the best dressed branch in been positive. Since the joint a real time communications system based the RMTU as we've spent a bit of our funds WOtago rail and port branch meeting in April on mass texting. We have implemented this on union apparel and now our members there has been a flurry of activity. and it is starting to prove very useful. Of have RMTU beanies and baseball caps and We thank Chris Lydiate for all the great course its real value will become apparent our officials have shirts. This has been a work he did as branch secretary. Chris has when we need to mobilise our members good way of fostering our RMTU identity. a young family and has decided to take a for action, either in support of the wider One of our younger members, Allan break from being a union official for a while. RMTU or Otago union membership, or on Jaquiery, has been selected by the Na- Chris, your quiet but assertive manner is an our own account. tional Management Committee to attend example to us all and we're sure you'll be We have also set up a closed branch an International Transport Federation (ITF) back on the executive one day soon. A big Facebook page which is being used by some conference in Montreal specifically aimed at thank you to Jane Sherer for stepping into of our members. The key to these different building strength amongst younger work- the breach in the meantime. Cometh the systems of communication is that we have to ers. What a great opportunity! We're sure hour, cometh the woman! use whatever members' preferred methods the experience will prove inspirational and Our delegates attended an RMTU train- are – whether it's text, social media, or good will result in an enthused activist returning ing day in Dunedin together with members old fashioned newsletters. to our shores with heaps of new ideas. from KiwiRail, Toll and Dunedin Railways. Our National health and safety officer So, all in all, a good three months. This was very useful in reminding us of the visited and also attended a branch meeting. There are many things we have to do as value of an organising and industrial ap- Karen Fletcher gave a very helpful update our industry and members face more than proach and encouraging our members to on the new H&S legislation and the role of enough challenges but we're confident the be confident in handling issues themselves H&S representatives under the new Act. branch is growing in our ability to meet with the support of the wider union. This was well received. We are fortunate these. Kia kaha and be safe!

the industry. Most we Peter and his famous quote: "The place is OTAGO RAIL were able to get though f.....d shag." The branch wishes Peter well with our tempers in in his retirement. T is noted by the Dunedin branch that check. Hugh Butler has seen a stint in hospital Neil Campbell has retired. Neil has The branch and KiwiRail will miss Neil and is now home, hopefully on the mend. had many roles within rail during his and his intimate knowledge of all things rail Rebecca Hauck has returned from a trip careerI from engineering through to various and wishes him and his family all the best to her home country to check up on the management positions. Some of which saw for whatever retirement has to offer. Donald Trump campaign. She reports that him and the branch on opposite sides of the It is also noted that Peter Tutty is retir- it's going ok at the moment. desk and through some difficult times for ing. The place will not be the same without One of our team leaders is on light The Transport Worker September 2016 Worker The Transport 31 duties at the moment - here's hoping for a KiwiRail managers attended the Just and Management finally saw sense and speedy recovery Warren. Fair Culture seminar recently and by all eventually agreed with our point of view. The medical reviews have taken their accounts it was well liked. It provides clear As reported in the July Activist, collective toll of the category one people, with several guide lines for all investigation and discipli- employment agreement negotiations are off for stress tests to check the heart func- nary processes. The branch looks forward occurring about now. The RMTU has kept tion – all based on the body mass index. to seeing it work properly. its wage claims to a modest level over the No fails as this is written. Please remember Our brothers and sisters at Dunedin last year or so to assist Dunedin Railways get that if you are put down for further tests, Railways (aka Taieri Gorge Railway) have over some lean years and to preserve jobs. then you are on light duties until the tests been living in interesting times. But tourism in our neck of the woods are complete and you are cleared for Following an improvement notice is recovering including an expected marked normal duties. You don't have to use your issued by WorkSafe requiring that they increase in the cruise ship excursion market sick leave. undertake health monitoring with regards and we wish to have some of that in our The main line is seeing a lot activity of to exposure to noise, dust and fumes to pay packets. late, with the ballast cleaner doing various members working in the depot and on RMTU Dunedin held a well attended sections to the south of Dunedin. The track maintenance, management reacted AGM in July. Well attended as membership Caversham Tunnel will have now had all the excessively. has ballooned an amazing 35% because of track sets replaced and tamped for normal They appointed a private occupational the increased profile of the RMTU during running. This has meant regular work trains health and safety service to carry out full our activity over the past year, culminat- to replenish the ballast – a good use of our medical assessments equivalent to NRSS ing in the recent high profile picket of the time during the down season for the dairy Categories One and Two – a double up of Dunedin Railway Station which featured in industry. normal medicals our members undergo by the June edition. The branch has its AGM looming, please the Company doctor. RMTU Dunedin railways now have a make sure you can get along and have your The full medical assessment was seen healthy 80% coverage in all areas of the say. Remember the branch is not run for as unnecessary by members and advice was workforce with our new members now you, it is run by you. given to only undertake the health monitor- enjoying the protection that a strong and Many of the branch delegates and ing as required by the improvement notice. well-resourced union provides.

formation work and long. When something happens and the LE drainage and sleeper refuses to get out of the cab, who gets the SOUTHLAND replacement as well call to render assistance? Our fear is that if as ballast cleaning has we hold up trains because of this a witch N a July issue of the Southern Express been done and at the time of writing is still hunt will occur by management. our Southern regional operations rep going on but it appears that the planners The conditions our RCOs and shunters wrote a piece based on a just culture have not considered where people will walk work in at Bluff when they have to place and how we must pay attention to safety. I I if we put a train on the track. Open ditches wagons to the Southport cool store are also agree with this concept but this also raises and drains full of water on both sides of difficult. This area is used to store export the question on how to deal with the haz- the track, steep ballast and heavy track side logs beside the track and can only be de- ards left by others that affect our day to day vegetation, mounds or ballast slippery clay scribed as a muck heap with mud and water work practices. Going on from what he said and discarded rail are all a problem. from trucks all over the place along with about how full and open disclosure should Between Clinton and Balclutha there the logs being stacked up higher than the be encouraged and not feared, the following

are three dragging gear detectors at various concrete bolsters that hold them in place The Transport Worker September 2016 needs some very urgent attention. locations and when they are activated the and meant to stop them rolling off the heap. As we all know the low season provides LE is required to go and check the train, On a positive note the KiwiRail MECA the opportunity for track work to be carried and - you guessed it - at all of these locations and Toll agreements have been ratified out in places where needed without unduly formation work has been carried out and which has to be good news. We know that holding up trains. This opportunity was tak- hazards have been left. Also in this section plenty of workers in New Zealand aren't en on the MSL between Dunedin and Inver- a new bridge was built but no walk way was getting pay increases – four out of ten ac- cargill and well done to those who carried put in place on this 70 metre bridge. Do the cording to the CTU – so we're glad we're out this work. There is an issue however, people who plan this work ever go and have part of a union that fights for a fair deal. A as the conditions that have been left behind a look at what is left behind and consider few of our people attended a joint RMTU- for the freight operating staff to work in the health and safety ramifications? KiwiRail Just and Fair Culture seminar in can only be described as a hazard. To be In this section, MSL trains run mostly Dunedin in July which was, by all accounts, specific the length of main line between during the hours of darkness and are gener- well presented. And spring is just round the Wahola and Waipahi at various meterages ally anywhere between 500 and 900 metres corner! leaves a lot to be said about safety. A lot of 32 HPHE High performance high engagement – too right!

The finished product – fully overhauled DFT locomotive bogies at Hutt workshops. HE KiwiRail/RMTU High Perfor- mance High Engagement (HPHE) project at Hutt Workshops is gain- Ting momentum. While there is the whole site HPHE project, the current focus is on the processes around auxiliary compo- nents, specifically bogies, wheelsets and traction motor overhauls the Auxiliary Components Project (ACP). As with all HPHE projects, the first thing to do is agree on the rules of engage- ment set by the team. Training is provided The walls are covered with the mapping done to date. These have been created by the and from there it is down to the hard work workers and management. The maps show the depth of understanding and experience mapping the current way work is done of our members. with virtual stream mapping and spaghetti fies skills required, succession planning visits took the theory to date into practical diagrams. Once the mapping is done then and new equipment and plant. With these applications. these diagrams can be studied to identify processes in place solid business cases can Roy Sullivan, the new GGM mechan- where waste exists. be put together for future investment in ical has extensive experience on similar Wastes includes: people and plant. projects. Roy has arranged for three n Motion of people and parts that can Some of the members of the ACP team consultants to support the ACP team. The be eliminated or reduced with a have visited rail workshops in Melbourne consultants arrived in NZ on August 28 and better layout; to see sites which had been through these are on site at Hutt working with the ACP n Waiting and delays that can be reduced processes with successful outcomes that team. They will be in NZ for 4-6 weeks and with better planning and scheduling; improved safety and productivity. These site back again if required. n Unnecessary transportation of parts; n Unnecessary storage and over-pro- cessing; n Defects; n Over-production; and n Inventory issues – too much of what you do not need and not enough of what you do need. From there we work out how plan- ning, scheduling and the arrangement of Members of the ACP team meeting in the newly refurbished rooms at Hutt. KiwiRail have the worksite can improve productivity and cleaned out some old rooms and stores, painted them and added lighting, carpet tiles safety. This thorough process also identi- The Transport Worker September 2016 Worker The Transport and a kitchen enabling HPHE teams to meet on site.